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Why Donate to the Friends of the Lied?

  • Friends help ensure world-class performing arts are available in the KU and Lawrence communities.
  • Your donation helps keep ticket prices affordable for our community.
  • Friends help the next generation of performing arts lovers experience the best in children’s programming for free.
  • We SPOIL our Friends!

With donation levels beginning at $50, it’s easy to enjoy exclusive Friends opportunities and INVEST in the arts and in our community.

Explore

Friends of the Lied benefits

See 25th Anniversary commemorative book

Watch “Beyond the Stage” videos

Benefits

Ticket sales provide less than 40% of the funds necessary to bring world-class artists to Lawrence. Your generous financial contribution is critical to the Lied Center and helps make our community a wonderful place to live. Friends of the Lied donations start at $50 and are 100% tax-deductible.

LIEDer ($5,000+)
  • NEW! Opportunity to host a Lied Loves Lawrence Pop-up performance at a location of your choice

Plus all benefits in levels below

FELLOWS ($2,500+)
  • 20% discount on full season and performance packages
  • 20% Single performance ticket discount
  • Meet and greet with a Lied Center Series artist before or after a performance (as available)
  • Special program recognition at a Friends-sponsored event

Plus all benefits in levels below

BENEFACTOR ($1,000+)
  • 20% discount on full season and performance packages
  • 20% Single performance ticket discount
  • Reserved parking for Lied Center Series performances
  • One free use of the Lied Center’s meeting and reception spaces (some restrictions apply)

Plus all benefits in levels below

PATRON ($500+)
  • 15% discount on full season and performance packages
  • 15% single performance ticket discount
  • Free ticket exchange, or Lied Center Series credit, anytime prior to Lied Center Series performances
  • Invitation to Intermezzo-complimentary refreshments during intermission at Lied Center Series events

Plus all benefits in levels below

SPONSOR ($250+)
  • 15% discount on full season and performance packages
  • 15% single performance ticket discount
  • Free ticket exchange, or Lied Center Series credit, one week + before to Lied Center Series performances
  • Invitation to education activities and receptions (as available)

Plus all benefits in levels below

CONTRIBUTOR ($100+)
  • 10% discount on full season and performance packages
  • 10% single performance ticket discount
  • Free ticket exchange, or Lied Center Series credit,  two + weeks before Lied Center Series performance
  • Invitations to exclusive Friends-only events

Plus all benefits in the level below

ADVOCATE ($50+)
  • 10% discount on full season and performance packages
  • Access to Friends window at the Ticket Office
  • Advance ticket purchase
  • Pre-sale ticket offer for performances added after the season announcement (if artist allows)
  • Opportunity to purchase tickets to the Friends of the Lied exclusive Just Friends Jazz Series
  • Same season-to-season seat location for traditional season packages, during Friends pre-sale (not applicable to “Choose Your Own” series)
  • Recognition in the Lied Center Series performance programs
  • Access to Lied Center e-newsletters

By becoming a Friend of the Lied, your business can help bring the highest quality performances and meaningful education and community outreach programs to Lawrence. An investment in the Lied Center can also enhance your community exposure, client entertainment opportunities and a variety of marketing opportunities.

Friends of the Lied donations start at $100 and are 100% tax-deductible.

Fellow ($2,500+)
  • Company name and recognition at a Friends-sponsored event
  • 20% discount on full season and performance packages
  • 20% Single performance ticket discount
  • Meet and greet with a Lied Center Series artist before or after a performance (as available)
  • Special program recognition at a Friends-sponsored event

Plus all benefits in levels below

Benefactor ($1,000+)
  • Company name and link placement on Lied Center website
  • One free use of the Lied Center’s meeting and reception spaces (some restrictions apply)
  • 20% discount on full season and performance packages
  • 20% Single performance ticket discount
  • Reserved parking for Lied Center Series performances

Plus all benefits in levels below

Patrons ($500+)
  • 50% discount on the use of the Lied Center’s meeting and reception spaces (some restrictions apply)
  • 15% discount on full season and performance packages
  • 15% single performance ticket discount
  • Free ticket exchange, or Lied Center Series credit, anytime prior to Lied Center Series performances
  • Invitation to Intermezzo-complimentary refreshments during intermission at Lied Center Series events

Plus all benefits in levels below

Sponsor ($250+)
  • 15% discount on full season and performance packages
  • 15% single performance ticket discount
  • Free ticket exchange, or Lied Center Series credit, one week + before to Lied Center Series performances
  • Invitation to education activities and receptions (as available)

Plus all benefits in levels below

Contributor ($100+)
  • Company name in Lied Center Series performance programs
  • Company name on signage in lobby
  • 10% discount on full season and performance packages
  • 10% single performance ticket discount
  • Free ticket exchange, or Lied Center Series credit,  two + weeks before Lied Center Series performance
  • Invitations to exclusive Friends-only events

Additional marketing opportunities are available to donors who would like to sponsor an event. For details, contact the Lied Center at 785-864-2788.

VIP Sponsors make a significant donation to the Lied Center because they recognize the importance of the performing arts to our community. VIP Sponsors not only have the satisfaction of supporting the arts, they enjoy a valuable marketing opportunities.

VIP Sponsor Opportunities

Marketing value:

  • Recognition on the Lied Center’s electronic sign at 15th and Iowa
  • Recognition in Lied Center Series performance programs, including a full page color advertisement
  • Recognition in advertising for the event and in the performance program
  • Recognition on stage before the performance
  • Recognition (logo) on performance tickets

Additional performance-related opportunities may include the following:

  • 20% discount on Lied Center Series performances all season
  • Complimentary tickets and reserved parking during the performance
  • A private reception for up to 30 guests in conjunction with the performance

Letter from Board President

Erin Whitehurst, 2024–25

Thank you for your interest in the Lied Center of Kansas! Entering its 31st season, the Lied Center continues to serve the Lawrence and KU community guided by its simple yet profound vision: “We envision a world in which the arts are universally valued as essential to the human experience, and the Lied Center is a catalyst for realizing this ideal.”

The Lied Center does so in abundant ways: through world-class programming (as evident in this season’s exciting lineup!); deep engagement with the community, like serving as a venue for Red Cross blood drives; and school performances that provide every local K–12 student a diverse experiential learning opportunity, at no cost to the student.

These efforts would not be possible without support from Friends of the Lied. Whether you’re a current, former or prospective Friend—thank you for your support and engagement.

Serving as your president this season is a particular honor for me because, as a child, I was a direct beneficiary of such support. Growing up in Lawrence and attending KU, I had the privilege of attending school performances, dancing in recitals, singing
in Vespers and directing Rock Chalk Revue.

I’ve seen firsthand how the Lied Center catalyzes the arts to be valued as essential to the human experience. It’s been essential to mine.
We look forward to seeing you at the Lied Center—the gift that keeps on giving!

Warmly,
Erin Whitehurst
Friends of the Lied board president